Hey,

Imagine if the concept of life changed dramatically. With the advent of scienctific discoveries and studies, everything is changing rapidly regarding religion, philosophy and nature.

It always blows me away, the more I learn the more motorcycling, custom motorcycling and choppers become pure bastions of freedom. According to science we are born, go through the process of growing, living, loving and dying. Simple as that. We are no more than a blossoming flower in your garden. Life comes and then it goes.

Ah, but there’s so much more to our lives and what we make of them. Every day we can conjure up our next ride, our next chopper, our next girlfriend (or boyfriend), or our next adventure. Fortunately, we’re around for many seasons, so our opportunities for creative and adventuresome expansion are many fold.

So, take advantage of every fucking season you have, ‘cause when you’re gone, you’re gone. Let’s hit the news and ponder the meaning of life. Maybe it’s the pursuit of love and creative freedom and Choppers are creative steel gods we are allowed to ride off into the sunset.



The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Most recently the Smoke Out and Quick Throttle Magazine came on board.







TATTOO OF THE WEEK—Here’s the latest from Lincoln Tattoo Company, down the street from Bartels’ Harley-Davidson. This tat was administered by the masterful hands of my grandson, Frank Jr. His work is more amazing constantly.



Here’s a shot of Frank, my son, and Frankie with the Dyna I rebuilt. It’s about to be featured in Cycle Source Magazine.





NEWS FROM JASMINE CAIN--I am so excited to share all of the good news with you and show you what we've been up to! Many of you know we have been working on our new album "SEVEN" for almost 2 years, and we are finally finished! You can pre-order bundles now on our website: http://jasminecain.com! Those packages will be mailed out on May 6th so you will have them in your hands by our release date May 10th! Yayyyyy!!

If you are in the Daytona Beach area or want a little vacay, we have partnered together with the Hard Rock Hotel in Daytona Beach to bring you the Ultimate CD Release Experience! Check out all the information and get discount hotel prices here: https://www.facebook.com/events/996321773889888/!

If you've been following us on social media, you know that we are working on a music video for our first single "Be Brave" and reaching out to our fans to help us make this video. If you feel comfortable telling your story on camera, we would love to hear about a time in your life when you had to reach down and #BeBrave.

The stories you have shared with us already have been so powerful and healing and we appreciate everyone that was BRAVE enough to share with us. If you would like to submit a video, record a 2-3 minute clip and email us at 2kproductiongroup@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for supporting us and our music. We love you! Keep rockin!

--Jasmine Cain

 

Ocasio-Cortez Proposes Nationwide Motorcycle Ban--Junior Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez has made a lot of waves recently with her Green New Deal nonsense and child-like proposals and speeches. Well, it’s no different this afternoon as the political pixie announced her intention to draft legislation banning motorcycles from use in the United States of America.

The Senorita of Socialism threw out all manner of statistics regarding deadly accidents and injuries, relaxed traffic rules and tolls for bikers, as well as a not-so-veiled jab at a core demographic of President Trump’s supporters :

“Besides like, what I just said? A lot of these like, motorcycle people, okay, they’re like : ‘Ooh, look at me, I’m all old and fat and tough and I voted for Trump and smell like wet dog.’ And I’m supposed to slow my Prius down so you can like, noise pollute past everyone? I mean some of us have a nail appointment, people.”

Opposing the ban, spokesman and leader of “Bikers For Trump”, Clee Torres, also gave a statement to the press, expressing his, and his organization’s views :

“I don’t know where they found this little girl with the cute little mouth, but ain’t nobody taking away our hogs. President Trump is the best damn thing to happen to this country since Zima.”

Torres added that Bikers For Trump would hold a protest against the proposal with a million motorcycle convoy in Washington, previous incarnations of which have drawn tens of participants. Cortez may want to get herself back behind the bar where her little Punky Brewster act can make her some tips.

Editor’s Note: This is untrue, a satirical report from a website devoted to political satire. Politics are bad enough, we don’t need made- up bullshit.--Bandit





QUICK, LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK--2007 Harley-Davidson FXDL - Dyna Low Rider

$6,495.00

When this long and low factory custom first debuted, it was an instant hit among the Harley-Davidson faithful. The word "low" describes much more than rider position when it comes to the Dyna Low Rider. With the 25.8-inch seat height is among the lowest in the Harley-Davidson line. The bikes ergonomics are well-suited to those looking for a comfortable ride, while the Twin Cam 96 powertrain actually brings the low rider to a high level of performance.

This Amazing bike is in Excellent condition passing every Lifestyle Cycles Service inspection.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT INCLUDE:

This Low Rider comes with tons of upgrades and aftermarket parts. Starting with a set of low-rider style handlebars with a set of chrome mirrors. Both front and rear wheels are contrast cut with a front fender mud-flap.

Forward controls with a powerful 2 into 1 full exhaust system. A set of chrome Adjustable Progressive Suspension system. A 2-up seat with passenger pegs mounted to give your passenger a comfortable riding experience. Chrome primary housing cover with a chrome horn cover.

Overall this classic Low Rider has style, performance, and comfortable fitting to give you the true Harley-Davidson experience.

This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 101 point safety and mechanical inspection. Whether your looking to commute to work, ride the coast or take that dream vacation, this bike is ready to go!!! 

--Dan Leadbetter
Director of Marketing
Lifestyle Cycles
(714) 490-0155





LAW TIGERS HIT AZ FLAT TRACK--Law Tigers is doing another VIP ticket giveaway for the AZ Flat Track Super TT Race.

We are giving away 2 sets of AZ Bike Week Tickets + Observation Deck Concert Tickets to George Thorogood and the Destroyers Thursday, April 4th 9 pm and to Godsmack Saturday, April 6th 9 pm. Winners will be announced 03/27/2019.

Enter Now!

 

 

 

BREAKIN’ THE LAW IN CHICAGO-- What should Chicago do about cyclists who don’t play by the rules?-- Ever since my last Reader column on Chicago's mayoral election was published, I've been fielding a lot of complaints about lawbreaking bicyclists. I mentioned Toni Preckwinkle's statement from a recent debate that many bike riders "don't pay any attention to the traffic laws, which is not only infuriating, but also scary for drivers."

A typical comment I received on Twitter read, "Many, many cyclists ARE unsafe. Very self-centered, all-about-me-me-me and generally disrespectful." Isn't it great that drivers never act that way?

In fairness, though, hazardous and obnoxious cycling is a thing. So, I'd like to throw a bone to the "there are a lot of reckless bikers" crowd with a look at what Chicago should do about bicyclists who break traffic rules.

Let's classify lawbreaking by bike riders into three categories:

1. Technically illegal, but widespread and largely harmless, behavior. This includes slow, cautious cycling for short distances on sidewalks or against traffic on side streets. Another example is riders treating stoplights like stop signs and stop signs like yield signs. This is known as the "Idaho stop" because it's legal in the Gem State.

2. Lawbreaking that may be annoying, but is mostly a danger to the cyclist. This includes riding for long distances on sidewalks or against traffic on main streets, and riding at night without lights. (People who do the latter are nicknamed "bike ninjas.")

3. Willfully inconsiderate or reckless riding that can terrify or endanger others. This includes hauling ass down crowded sidewalks; failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks; and mindlessly bombing red lights and stop signs.

There's a racial equity component to the question of how we should deal with these behaviors. A 2017 Tribune investigation found that some communities of color saw exponentially more tickets for bike infractions than majority-white neighborhoods. A police rep eventually acknowledged that this was due to officers using bike enforcement as a pretext for searches in high-crime areas.

To get some different viewpoints on the best policies to address unlawful cycling, I checked in with a few city agencies and transportation experts and advocates.

I contacted the Wisconsin-based National Motorists Association for the right-wing windshield perspective. After all, the group's hard-line stances against automated enforcement, lower speed limits, traffic calming, stricter DUI rules, and even seatbelt laws make the American Automobile Association look like Greenpeace. But I was pleasantly surprised by spokeswoman Shelia Dunn's fairly balanced response, which stressed that everyone "driving, riding, or walking . . . should be responsible for their own safety and look out for others on the road."

Predictably, the NMA doesn't support legalizing the Idaho stop. Dunn argued that doing so would make it difficult for pedestrians and drivers to predict bicyclists' behavior, and embolden cyclists to run reds and signs even when intersections aren't clear.

Dunn called for better and earlier mobility education for kids, including safe walking, biking, and driving practices. "I lived in Germany for a time, and my fourth-grader was required to take a bicycling course in school," she said. "This would be a tremendous help."

I asked the Chicago Police Department about their cycling enforcement policies. (We didn't discuss the racial discrepancies, which I've written about at length.) Spokesman Howard Ludwig said officers are told to use discretion when writing bike tickets, differentiating between behavior that's merely unlawful, and that which is truly hazardous. For example, he said, a bike ninja on a dark side street might get a ticket, but "a cyclist without a light in a well-lit commercial area might pedal away with a warning."

This latitude helps explain why officers often choose to ignore cyclists doing Idaho stops. But Ludwig said the CPD will sometimes conduct "targeted enforcement" stings on bike riders, staking out particular locations where residents or aldermen have complained about bike infractions, or in response to a cyclist-involved crash…

--John Greenfield
Chicago Reader.com





RUMORS ABOUT THE HORSE MAGAZINE--As far as I know no one ever got a refund for subs.. I contacted them three times, never anything. I see it on the newsstand but never buy it because of his reason!

--Stealth





BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!--
THE CONNECTED BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THE_CONNECTED_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS.aspx

And I say again what happened too the country I left in 1965 and came back to in1967?. I am sorry my daughter will not have the same one I grew up in. The silent majority needs to speak up, vote against these politicians. France did it right.

Anyway, I will be 73 this year, and believe I will go for a ride on my coming home Panhead. Clear my head.

--Alex Jemery
aj846@lycos.com
Deland, FL





NEWS FROM ARIZONA ABATE--
It was a slow week at the Legislature for the most part. We did get a few things moved forward. One of the bills we are still working hard on is SB1001 Highway Safety Fee Repeal. We will be sending an ACTION ALERT later today to contact State Representatives to vote to pass this repeal.

It’s Bike Week. Make sure you stay alert and safe if you are out and about this weekend.

HB2109:
COUNTY TRANSPORTATION EXCISE TAX
If approved by a majority of the qualified electors, a county transportation excise tax must be levied and collected at a rate that, by itself or together with any tax county transportation excise tax for roads, is not more than 20 percent, increased from 10 percent, of the transaction privilege tax rate in effect on January 1, 1990 (5 percent) or of the jet fuel excise and use tax rate prescribed by statute (currently 3.05 cents per gallon).
4/4 Senate COW approved. passed Senate 21-8; ready for governor.

HB2319:
HURF TRANSFERS; HIGHWAY PATROL; REPEAL
Repeals statute requiring the Department of Transportation to allocate and transfer $10 million from revenues of the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF) to the Department of Public Safety for funding a portion of highway patrol costs.
4/2 Senate appro held.

SB1001:
HIGHWAY SAFETY FEE; REPEAL; VLT
Repeals the highway safety fee that was previously required to be in an amount established by the Director of the Department of Transportation annually in order to fund 110 percent of the Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol budget for each fiscal year.

If monies in the Arizona Highway Patrol Fund are insufficient to fully fund the Highway Patrol in a FY, the Legislature is required to appropriate monies from the general fund to eliminate the insufficiency.
4/4 House appro do pass; report awaited.

SB1258:
CLASS M DRIVER LICENSES; APPLICABILITY
A class M driver license is not necessary for operating a motorcycle that has at least three wheels and a three-point safety belt and bucket or bench seats and that is fully enclosed or uses a roll cage frame.
4/3 passed House 60-0; ready for governor.





QUICK, REPAINT THE BANDIT’S CANTINA BAD JOKE LIBRARY-- Grandpa story:
Last week, I took my grandchildren to a restaurant.

My 8-year-old grandson asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food and I would thank you even more if Grandpa gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty, peace & justice for all. Amen!"

Along with the laughter and nodding of heads from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman at the next table remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray.. Asking God for ice cream! Why -- I never!"

Hearing this, my grandson burst into tears & asked me, "Did I do it wrong Grandpa? Is God mad at me?"

I assured him that he had done a terrific job & that God was certainly not mad at him. Then an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my grandson & said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”

"Really?" my grandson asked.

"Cross my heart," the man replied. Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is sometimes good for the soul.”

Naturally, I bought my grandchildren ice cream at the end of the meal. My grandson stared at his ice cream for a moment, & then he did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over & placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile he looked her in the eye and told her, "Here ma'am, this is for you, you grouchy old bitch. Shove it up your ass and cool off!"

Kinda brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it!

--EL Waggs